SHESOMAJORhttp://stillsomajor.com
Travel Guides, Tips, News, ReviewsMon, 25 Sep 2017 23:19:30 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.8.298449155What Camera Do You Use? Here’s Everything In My Travel Photography Kit!http://stillsomajor.com/camera-use-heres-everything-travel-photography-kit/
http://stillsomajor.com/camera-use-heres-everything-travel-photography-kit/#respondMon, 25 Sep 2017 13:53:58 +0000http://stillsomajor.com/?p=4185“What camera do you use?” This is one of the most frequently asked questions that I get so I thought now would be a good time to take what’s inside of my backpack and show you my travel photography kit. […]

]]>“What camera do you use?” This is one of the most frequently asked questions that I get so I thought now would be a good time to take what’s inside of my backpack and show you my travel photography kit. Before we begin, I just would like to say that I am not a photographer, I am just a blogger that has always loved to take photographs and buy cameras and random equipment! I am self-taught and have learned (still learning too) along the way how to capture the images that I love and people appreciate.

So what’s in my travel photography kit? Let’s take a look!

iPhone 7 Plus

Most people think that you need the most expensive and fanciest camera to capture images, but I will be the first person to tell you that you do not. When I first started to travel, I was using a heavy Canon camera and wanted to cry every time I travelled. I was torn between capturing everything on my DSLR and having shoulder pains or using my iPhone. One trip I decided to travel armed only with my Apple iPhone and was stunned at the quality of my images and videos. Who would have known my phone would turn into my go-to for capturing my travels. My iPhone 7 Plus has transformed my life and my travel photography kit! It takes stunning images, the bokeh/depth effect option is amazing and let’s not forget this phone shoots video in 4k.

Shot On An iPhone 7 Plus

CAMERAS & LENSES

Canon T-2i

My oldie but goodie, my Canon Rebel has served me well over the years and was the main camera in my travel photography kit. I’ve had this camera for almost eight years and it was what I used to photograph everything. It is a great beginners camera but to be honest, it’s probably not even available anymore as it’s so old. It is a tad heavy, which is why I converted to my iPhone for most of my travel needs. I paired the body with a factory 18-55mm lens and I shot just about everything in auto for a few years until I learned how to use my camera like a real photog. I still prefer to shoot in auto as I hate missing moments setting a camera. While I rarely use this bad boy anymore, when I do, the images are still as flawless as ever. However, I have upgraded and downsized!

Shot On A Canon T2i w/ 18-55mm

Sony A5100 w/16-50 mm

Finding the right camera, one that was lightweight, delivered exceptional video and photos and was easy to use was no easy task. There are so many options, it really just comes down to preference and how much you are willing to spend. After months of research, I have welcomed my new baby home. Say hello to my mirrorless Sony. This camera is so light, yet so powerful and takes beautiful images. I bought it with the purpose of travel vlogging and I am not disappointed. This camera stood out to me because of all the reasons above AND because I wanted a camera with a detachable lens. There’s so much more than can be done when you have this option. I’m looking very soon to purchase a few new lenses and will update this post as soon as I do.

Shot On A Sony A5100 w/16-50 mm

GoPro Hero4

This tiny camera packs quite a punch. You can mount it just about any part of your body and shoot. One of the best things about this camera is that it can take a beating. It’s very durable and you will probably have this around for a long time! I use this to shoot underwater photos, video or action shots…both of which I do not do that much of these days. The quality of this camera is exceptional but the sound is what makes me not pick it up as much in addition to the battery life is not the best. If you were to purchase, buy a few extra batteries to go along with it.

Shot On GoPro Hero4

ACCESSORIES

iPhone Tripod

My smartphone tripod is perhaps one of my favourite accessories. It’s literally every solo traveller’s dream. You don’t have to ask anyone to take a photo of you because you can simply do it yourself. Most times when I ask strangers to take a pic, it’s the worst photo ever, you can angle your phone and tripod exactly how you want to get your signature photo. The tripod is 50″ and compatible with Apple iPhones, Samsungs & just about any other smartphone. This isn’t the sturdiest tripod, it is made out of aluminium so you have to be careful because one breeze can knock it over.

LOHA Flexible Tripod for DSLR

I bought this flexible DSLR tripod to vlog with, it’s akin to the GorillaPod tripod made popular by Casey Niestat, and I’m not sure why I purchased this particular tripod instead of the JOBY. This tripod is able to twist and contort around just about anything ensuring you get the shot. It’s nice and compact and perfect for travelling. While I do like this tripod, there are some slight defects. I find that it doesn’t hold as well as I thought it would, it does drop from time to time and it’s a task at times screwing my camera onto the tripod as tight as I would like. I have to put your back into it!

SANDISK Ultra Plus Class 10 SD Memory Card – 64 GB

I capture and store as many images and videos thanks to my powerful Sandisk memory card. Don’t skimp on the memory else you will have to choose between what to keep and what to delete!

Seagate 1TB Portable External Hard Drive

I take hundreds of images when I travel and I need somewhere to store those memories. For the past few years, I’ve been travelling with my Seagate external hard drive. I don’t have a favourite when it comes to choosing which brand, I know there are lots of other brands that I’ve heard great things about but this gets the job done. Gone are the days when I store my valuable memories on my computer, its just not enough space! A tip is to also have a primary and a backup drive, I’m always cautious of losing or having stuff stolen.

And there you have it, everything that I use to take photographs while travelling the world. When I first started out blogging and travelling, I would obsess over equipment. I needed the most expensive and extravagant camera so my photos could be perfect. If this is your way of thinking, stop it, right now. Your camera is only half of the battle. Most of my dopest images have come from shooting on an iPhone. It’s not what you have, it’s how you use it. Learn to work with what you have, master that, and then move on. Go out there and practice angles, learn how to compose shots, figure out your style.

LET’S KEEP IN TOUCH!

]]>http://stillsomajor.com/camera-use-heres-everything-travel-photography-kit/feed/04185TRAVEL VLOG: London 🎉🎈(Happy Birthday To Me!) 🎂http://stillsomajor.com/travel-vlog-london-happy-birthday/
http://stillsomajor.com/travel-vlog-london-happy-birthday/#respondMon, 11 Sep 2017 14:11:04 +0000http://stillsomajor.com/?p=4168I finally got around to editing the first of SOOO many travel vlogs! I spent my birthday last month in one of my favourite cities London, and as always it was a blast! If you need any London travel tips..”where […]

]]>George. R. R. Martin & HBO you got me! Westeros wanderlust has completely consumed me and I couldn’t be any happier. For years Croatia sat on my bucket list (thanks Beyonce & Jay), but GOT gave me the ultimate push I needed to visit the Pearl of The Adriatic.

While there are many things to do in Dubrovnik, my main goal was to visit as many filming locations in the capital of the Seven Kingdoms without running into Cersei or the Mountain. While you can book tours in advance, you can find a ton of tour vendors at the Pile Gate. To be honest, a tour isn’t necessary, you can stumble upon most of the filming locations, or you can simply print an online guide off of the internet and walk around the city.

So, what should you absolutely see while visiting Westeros?

Here are ‘8 Game of Thrones Filming Locations In Dubrovnik, Croatia’ that you just can’t miss!

Dubrovnik Old Town – King’s Landing

Welcome to the capital of the Seven Kingdoms. Dubrovnik’s Old Town is the main filming location for Game of Throne’s King’s Landing. The cobbled streets and medieval buildings were featured prominently over the course of several seasons and were the perfect location for the series due to the immaculate preservation of the UNESCO World Heritage Old Town. There was very little needed CGI effects needed to bring the Lannister stronghold to life.

Fort Lovrijenac / Red Keep

“Aegon built his castle of red rock to remind people of the fire he roasted his enemies in, so whenever King’s Landing looked up they’d see the price of defiance.”

You can’t miss Fort Lovrijenac, it sticks out like the gem that it is. The Fort, which is called “Dubrovnik’s Gibraltar”, doubles as The Red Keep in Game of Thrones and serves the home of every former King, now Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, their family and court. There is a cost to enter the fort, but if you have walked the city walls, your ticket will get you into the fort. The climb to the top is steep, but the views are breathtaking.

Bokar Fortress

Best seen in Season 2 of Game of Thrones, Bokar Fortress was prominently featured when Tyrion Lannister and Lord Varys planned the defence of King’s Landing against the invading Stannis Baratheon and his army. The fortress, built in the 15th century to protect the city also overlooks another popular filming locating, the Pile Harbour which saw tons of action, most prominently the Battle of the Blackwater.

Pile Harbour/Blackwater Bay

The setting for so many integral scenes on Game of Thrones, it was a treat to visit this the infamous Blackwater Bay. This is the where the Lannisters bid farewell to Princess Myrcella before she set sail for Dorne, it is also where the massive Battle of The Blackwater took place between Stannis Baratheon and the Lannister forces. We know how that worked out for Stannis. It is a beautiful location and if you wish you can rent a kayak and sail around the bay.

Gradac Park/Purple Wedding

Many of the Game of Thrones locations were super crowded, Gradac Park was far from it. The park, located just outside of the Old City was the site of Season 4’s Purple Wedding between King Joffrey Baratheon and Margaery Tyrell. While the actual wedding was shot in Belfast, the wedding reception was shot in the park. Situated just outside the Old Town, the park is a great spot to escape the throngs of tourists and catch some fresh air.

Minčeta Tower

In her quest to find her stolen dragons, Daenerys Targaryen visits the House of the Undying in Season 2 which is located at the base of the Minčeta Tower. In order to get access to the tower, you will have to get a ticket to walk the city walls. As the tower offers phenomenal panoramic views of the Old Town, be prepared for massive crowds.

Jesuit Steps / Walk Of Shame

Inarguably the #1 filming location in the Old Town, the steps of the Great Sept of Baelor in King’s Landing and the path leading up to it is a must-visit. It was here in Season 5 of Game of Thrones where Cercei Lannister took her walk of shame. It is also the location of Lord Tywin’s funeral procession. I will tell you, you will encounter hundreds of people walking and screaming “shame, shame, shame” while snapping photos. I joined in on the fun, I must admit!

Lokrum Island / Qarth

The island of Lokrum is located a short ferry boat ride away from Dubrovnik, 8 minutes at most. The island which is roaming with wild rabbits and peacocks is beautiful and is another great way to escape the crowds of Dubrovnik. Lokrum served as the city of Qarth which Daenerys Targaryen visits in Season Two. The Botanical Gardens and the old Benedictine monastery were the main spots used for filming. As a bonus, you can find a Game of Thrones media centre and a replica Iron Throne on the island.

Dubrovnik’s Old Town is teaming with Game of Throne filming locations but I tried to choose the most interesting and the most recognizable locations. There are tons of spots around the city that are used for general scene/market shots like St. Dominic Street, the Stadun, the Pile Gate, the Rector’s Palace, and even the city walls. If you asked me, the entire city is one big Game of Thrones set and if you are a fan of the show, it is the perfect place to visit to get your Game of Thrones fix!

So, what are you waiting on?! Has the Westeros wanderlust set in as yet?

]]>http://stillsomajor.com/8-game-of-thrones-filming-locations-in-dubrovnik-croatia/feed/04106A Major Travel Guide: Dubrovnik, Croatia | Where To Eat, Drink, Stay, Dohttp://stillsomajor.com/a-major-travel-guide-dubrovnik-croatia/
http://stillsomajor.com/a-major-travel-guide-dubrovnik-croatia/#commentsWed, 23 Aug 2017 14:30:26 +0000http://stillsomajor.com/?p=4020The small yet enchanting seaside city of Dubrovnik, Croatia has been capturing the hearts of visitors for centuries, and after my first visit, it isn’t hard to see why. I was drawn to this European playground not because of its […]

]]>The small yet enchanting seaside city of Dubrovnik, Croatia has been capturing the hearts of visitors for centuries, and after my first visit, it isn’t hard to see why. I was drawn to this European playground not because of its beauty, its rich history and culture but because of its now historic role in the famed HBO series, Game of Thrones. Dubrovnik serves as the filming location for the fictitious ‘King’s Landing’, and many integral scenes were filmed in the Old Town and surrounding areas.

Yes, my love for the Starks, Targaryens, Lannisters and the Seven Kingdoms introduced me to the “Pearl of the Adriatic” but the charming and spellbinding walled city proved to be so much more than a prop in a cult classic. This UNESCO World Heritage Site deserves a spot on your bucket list and I’m here to show you why.

BEST TIME TO GO

I visited Dubrovnik during PEAK season, August. Whatever you do, stay clear of visiting during the summer months, June – August as it is the most popular time to visit. I highly recommend you visiting during the shoulder season – May,September or October when cruise ships are calling on the port less. The weather dips a bit and the sea is still warm enough for you to take a dip. As Dubrovnik is a tourist destination, the peak months see higher rates on everything from accommodations, food and attractions, so for an even more affordable trip, you’re going to want to take advantage of the short shoulder season. The least preferable time to visit Dubrovnik is the low season which ranges between November and April. The temperature gets very frigid and you may find it to be a ghost town as most establishments shutter their establishments during the low season but you can roam freely without the throngs of tourists.

If I could do it all over again, I would’ve probably visited Dubrovnik in the shoulder season. I can not begin to tell you about the massive crowds in the Old Town. It was nearly impossible to get a clean photograph without hundreds of people walking through your shot.

GETTING THERE

There are many airplanes that service this South Dalmatia town. I flew into Dubrovnik Airport in Čilipi from London Gatwick Airport via British Airways. There are many other European airlines, like Easyjet and Croatia Airlines that provide direct flights to the city, but only if you are in Europe already. The airport is located twenty minutes or less from the city’s centre so you would have to catch a taxi, shuttle, bus or an Uber to your accommodations.

If you’re not already in Europe, my suggestion is to fly to a large city like London, maybe Paris and then buy a roundtrip to Dubrovnik. While the ticket cost may be a little expensive, remember, spending money on travel and experiences is the best money you will ever spend.

If you are already in a different city in Croatia, you can catch a bus or an Uber boat to Dubrovnik and also use Dubrovnik as a base to visit different parts of the country like Hvar, Zagreb or Split.

WHERE TO STAY

There are tons of accommodations to fit just about any budget in Dubrovnik. Personally, I stayed at the newly renovated Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik located a stone’s throw away from the Old Town. The views of the Old Town were to die for, and the Adriatic Ocean literally was my back door. The hotel features include a private beach, three restaurants an indoor swimming pool, spa and fitness centre.

When you are booking your hotel, ensure that you stay as close to the Old Town as possible. Doing so will eliminate the need for transportation or if you would like, you can stay in the middle of the action as there are hotels like the Pucic Palace and Airbnb’s located in the Old Town.

Personally, I don’t think that I could stay in the Old Town during the season, there is simply too much going on and dragging a suitcase through the city is not for me. The city is pedestrianized, therefore no cars are allowed in the city. It’s a no for me, but that may be your thing. When you think of the Old Town, think of Times Square on New Year’s Eve.

WHAT TO PACK

If you’re planning to travel to Dubrovnik in the summer, think heat! The first day I got into Dubrovnik, I sweat my clothing off, I’m not even joking. It was some kind of heat wave and it was torture.

Pack shorts, tees, cute sun dresses, swimsuits, cover-ups sandals, sneakers, sunglasses and a hat! I didn’t pack any heels because I had no intention of wearing any. The streets aren’t conducive to heels and you’re either going to end up slipping and falling or ruining your heels unless they’re chunky heels. It’s just something I wouldn’t do. You’ve been warned.

Don’t skimp on the sunblock, it’s absolutely FIRE! If you’re a naturally curly girl, pack all of your hair moisturizers as the humidity sucks the life out of your curls.

Pro Tip: I usually love to match outfits with the city that I’m travelling to, it makes for a good picture. Pack a little bit of orange to match the terracotta rooftops.

WHAT TO EAT

Everything! If you love seafood, you’re in for a treat! I had some of the best mussels, shrimp, octopus and fish while in Dubrovnik. You must absolutely try the buzara mussels. Buzara, is a style of Croatian cooking which includes white wine, garlic, parsley and breadcrumbs. It’s simply delicious!

If you have an allergy, there are lots of other options like pizza, meat pasta and salads. Oh, and ice cream/gelato, it’s a must to beat the Dubrovnik heat!

I ate from two awesome eateries while in Croatia that you should absolutely give a try.

Lady Pi Pi – It’s a struggle for me to give you directions on how to get to this small gem but Google Maps will get you there better than I ever can. It is tucked away off an alley and up some stairs and is very hard to grab a spot at. There is usually always a line and I’m telling you it’s worth the wait. A friend recommended the restaurant and I had no expectations but was blown away by how well the food was seasoned and how fresh it was. If you make it there be sure to look up at the vineyards that drape the roof. If you’re tall enough you can pick the grapes off the vine and have a taste.

Barba – This modern seafood joint is a great place to grab a quick bite of food and a great place to people watch. Also located through an alley, Google Map it, I would suggest you try their speciality, the octopus sandwich (which is more of a patty) the calamari, and mussels. You can grab a table inside of the tiny restaurant or grab a pillow and sit on the steps, people watch and enjoy your meal.

WHAT TO DO

I spent four days in Dubrovnik and was able to find something different to do every day. The town is small enough to do quite a bit in 1-2 days, but I would recommend spending more than 2 days as to not exhaust yourself. Here are some of the more popular things to do.

Visit the Old Town – Walking through the Old Town was like walking through a medieval movie. I was in awe at the preservation of the town, it was as if I was transported through time. Encircling the Old Town is the city walls which are said to be one of the greatest fortifications of the Middle Ages, the walls built which were to protect the city were never breached and is fully intact are a major attraction. As you stroll through the cobbled streets, you will find so much history, Baroque & Gothic styled churches, monasteries, palaces, and fountains. The Old Town isn’t exceptionally large and it can take you about an hour to see everything, more if you want to stop and take photographs, less if you don’t stop to see anything. As it is still an active city, you will find homes, street markets, shopping centres, lounges and a club located within the city walls.

Walk The City Walls – Walking the entire length of the city walls is the number one attraction in Dubrovnik and you shouldn’t miss it! The impressive limestone fortifications which were built and strengthened over various centuries provide protection for the city is said to be the most impressive fortification of the Middle Ages. Walking the walls should be done as early in the morning as you can to beat the massive crowds and the heat! It took me about an hour and a half to walk the entire wall, but I stopped a lot to snap photos and grab a fruity drink. There are tons of restaurants and cafes on the wall and if you get exhausted just take a break. From the top of the wall, the views are simply amazing. You will be able to see the famed Lokrum island, you can look down into the Old City and people watch and you can view the surrounding areas of Dubrovnik.

Game of Thrones Tour –Truth be told, HBO’s Game of Thrones was the reason I ended up in Dubrovnik. The popular show filmed many of its scenes around the Old Town and on the island of Lokrum and you can experience it with the help of a guide, or you can do it on your own. You’ll stumble on most of the shots even if you’re not looking. The most popular filming spot is Cersei’s walk of shame alley which is always filled with fans trying to snap a pic.

Lokrum – The island of Lokrum is located a short ferry boat ride away from Dubrovnik, 8 minutes at most. The island which is roaming with wild rabbits and peacocks is beautiful and a great way to escape the crowds of Dubrovnik. Lokrum also serves as another Game of Thrones filming location and there is a Game of Thrones media centre and a replica Iron Throne. Additionally, the island features a medieval Benedictine monastery, a botanical garden and a saltwater lake known as the Dead Sea. It also has a gay nude beach, so be careful where you wonder if you are with children. It’s raunch!

Sea Safari – Experiencing Dubrovnik and the surrounding Elaphiti Islands is a must. I booked a full-day tour to visit a few of Croatia’s popular grottos and a popular white sand beach Sunj on Lopud Island. If you’re an islander, like me, you will be less impressed by the beaches. On the tour we were able to watch the sunset from boat which was simply incredible.

Cable Car – The best place to enjoy a 360 view of Dubrovnik and the surrounding area is by taking a cable car up to Mount Srdj. The ride takes 2-3 minutes and the view going up is incredible. Atop the mountain, there is a viewing deck, restaurant, gift shop and a museum. If you’re adventurous you can take a hiking trail or a buggy safari.

Have I convinced you to do Dubrovnik yet? If I have and you have more questions and need a little bit of help in planning your trip, hit me up in the comments. Don’t forget to share the love on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter!

]]>http://stillsomajor.com/a-major-travel-guide-dubrovnik-croatia/feed/14020Traveling With Natural Hair? Here’s What You Need To Knowhttp://stillsomajor.com/traveling-with-natural-hair/
http://stillsomajor.com/traveling-with-natural-hair/#respondThu, 03 Aug 2017 18:54:53 +0000http://stillsomajor.com/?p=3981Traveling with natural hair can be stressful and challenging at times, there are so many factors that go into ensuring that your curls and kinks are always vacation ready. As a curly girl, I face a whole lot of battles when […]

]]>Traveling with natural hair can be stressful and challenging at times, there are so many factors that go into ensuring that your curls and kinks are always vacation ready. As a curly girl, I face a whole lot of battles when prepping for an upcoming trip — I have to decide which products I’m going to pack, what style will last longest, how will I reach my destination without getting my entire hair care kit all over my clothing, will these products make my luggage extra heavy and so much more. Over the years, and with lots of trial and error, I’ve been able to get my life and vacation hair together and I’m here to help you do the same! Here are some of my favourite tips for travelling with natural hair.

What Kind of Vacation Is This?

In order to properly pack products and figure out what hair styles best suit your upcoming vacation, you will first have to know what kind of vacation you’re going on. Are you going on a tropical vacation? Maybe a romantic baecation? What about a winter getaway? If you’re going on a Caribbean vacation, you have to pack products that will help with humidity and frizz, you will have to pack lots of shampoo, conditioner and styling products because you will be doing a lot of swimming. On the flip side, your products will drastically vary if you are going on a winter getaway as you will need fewer products. If you’re going on a two-week Euro or African adventure, maybe a protective style may be a better option. Taking your itinerary into consideration is the first major step in helping you to master your vaca hair.

Pack Your Go-To Products

Traveling is not the time to try new products. We all have our favourites and sticking to them is a priority when on vacation. I made the mistake of carrying new products with me on a 10-day trip to Africa and was devastated because my hair was not having it. As it was my first time to Africa, I needed products that kept my hair moisturized because of the heat and I simply did not pack my go-to’s and could not find them anywhere. Once you’ve decided what your must-have’s are, pack only the basics. The fastest way to ensure that you are overweight is to try to pack your entire hair cabinet. My advice is to keep your products to a minimum, three products are enough to do the job. Shampoo, conditioner and creme curl, or conditioner, creme curl and a gel. Don’t forget to pack hair pins, hair ties and of course your satin cloth.

Travel-Size Products

If you want to end up with overweight luggage, go ahead, pack that full-sized bottle of Deva Curl. Duck those extra travel fees and travel smart by purchasing travel size bottles and fill them up with your favourite products. You can grab empty bottles from Amazon, the pharmacy or your local beauty supply store. You can also buy your favourite products readily available in travel sizes. My pro tip for travelling with hair products is to always ensure they are sealed tightly. Have you ever opened up your bag to see ALL of your products spilled on your clean clothing? It’s devastating! I usually tape the top to ensure that no spillage occurs and then I pack my products in a zip-lock bag, just in case the tape doesn’t do the trick.

Protective Styling

One of the best things about traveling with natural hair is not having to deal with natural hair on your vacation at all! I am a big fan of braiding, twisting or tieing down your hair. It’s refreshing to not have to fix your hair or worry about forgetting products or not packing enough. I recently fell in love with French braids and I can’t get enough. They’re super cute and last a few days once you tie them down properly. Another protective fav of mine are twists, I usually twist my hair, leave in for a few days then twist it out for a new look. It’s all about experimenting; try different styles and see what works best for you.

And that’s it! That’s how I am able to effortlessly rock my natural hair while on vacation! Do you curly & naturally fly girls have any tips? I would love to hear them. Drop me a comment below!

LET’S KEEP IN TOUCH!

FIND ME ON…

]]>http://stillsomajor.com/traveling-with-natural-hair/feed/03981I Was Blown Away Plane Watching In St. Maartenhttp://stillsomajor.com/blown-away-plane-watching-st-maarten/
http://stillsomajor.com/blown-away-plane-watching-st-maarten/#respondThu, 06 Jul 2017 14:23:52 +0000http://stillsomajor.com/?p=3972WARNING: THIS IS SUPER DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING. EXPERIENCE AT YOUR OWN RISK. A few years ago I watched an insane video of a plane swooping over a beach on the Caribbean island of St. Maarten, while it looked super dangerous, […]

]]>WARNING: THIS IS SUPER DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING. EXPERIENCE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

A few years ago I watched an insane video of a plane swooping over a beach on the Caribbean island of St. Maarten, while it looked super dangerous, I vowed to one-day tick plane watching in St. Maarten it off of my bucket-list! Crazy right?

Well today, I can say that I have! I recently took a trip to the French & Dutch isle and it was the only activity I was able to squeeze into my short trip.

The unique and thrilling adventure of plane spotting is best experienced on the tiny yet beautiful Maho Beach, which is located at the tip of the runway at St. Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport. Fun fact: Like I mentioned up above, St. Maarten is a Dutch & French island. What this means is that there is a Dutch and French side, which is pretty cool. There is a distinct difference once you cross the boundary line. Maho Beach and the airport is located on the Dutch side.

The Princess Juliana International Airport is considered to be one of the most dangerous airports in the world because of how close planes descend over the popular tourist beach. It is also one of the few remaining airports where you can get THIS close to planes taking off and landing which makes it so popular.

When I say close, I mean you can feel the jet stream! I stood behind it and got blasted into the water! Looking back on this, I’m thinking this was pretty dangerous!

If you’re not as adventurous as I am, you can always walk to the Sunset Beach Bar, which is on Maho Beach and watch in amazement from a safe distance. You can check the monitors as they keep track of all departure and arrival times.

I sat on the beach all day and watched tiny prop planes and HUGE jets like American Air, JetBlue and the biggest of them all KLM 330 dip close to the shore.

Watch the adventures unfold.

Would you try plane watching in St. Maarten?

LET’S KEEP IN TOUCH!

FIND ME ON…

]]>http://stillsomajor.com/blown-away-plane-watching-st-maarten/feed/03972Everything You Need To Know About Eden Rock St Barth’shttp://stillsomajor.com/eden-rock/
http://stillsomajor.com/eden-rock/#respondSun, 02 Jul 2017 00:00:47 +0000http://stillsomajor.com/?p=3909When I had decided to travel to the tiny, chic French Caribbean island of St. Bart’s I instantly knew exactly which hotel I wanted to stay at. I had long read about Eden Rock – St. Barth’s, the luxurious popular […]

]]>When I had decided to travel to the tiny, chic French Caribbean island of St. Bart’s I instantly knew exactly which hotel I wanted to stay at. I had long read about Eden Rock – St. Barth’s, the luxurious popular hotspot in St. Jean where the tastemakers and celebrities flocked to while escaping the hustle and bustle of life in the public eye.

I had heard that the service was incomparable and the food unlike anywhere else, I wanted to see for myself what the hype was all about. There are some hotels that you can’t help but wonder, “is it that worth it”, and Eden Rock was one of them so I decided to test it out ya know, so you wouldn’t have to.

BOOKING

Booking a room at the Eden Rock can be done through their website, or through your favourite online travel agency. I booked the verylast room that the property had available through Expedia, so that should tell you how popular this hotel was at the time bae and I decided to visit. Even though June is considered the slow season, I had no options, so I can’t say that choosing a room was a hard decision. I won’t lie, I was a little on the fence about Eden Rock for a few reasons. Before my in-depth hotel search, I didn’t realise the property was so small and compact and that there was no pool on property. Yes, there are private villas with pools attached, but there is no pool available for the general hotel users, aka the non-villa renting people like me. But, we decided to just go for it!

PRE-CHECK IN

As St. Bart’s is a tiny island, commercial airplanes are not allowed to fly into the island. The runway is the shortest in the Caribbean and I may add the scariest. You have to be a super skilled pilot with experience to land on that runway.

Fun fact: Eden Rock was founded by Rémy de Haenen, the first man to land a plane on the island of Saint Barthélemy. Leading up to our visit, we were contacted by the hotel to find out details about our arrival; they wanted to know how we planned to get to St. Bart’s, flight from St. Maarten or ferry. We had the option of having them taking care of our flight or ferry transfers or doing it ourselves. Points for service. We decided to simply do it ourselves and advised the time we would be on the island.

ARRIVAL
Always take the scenic route, is a mantra I love to live by, so we decided to take a ferry from St. Maarten to St. Barths. It is a beautiful and short 40-minute transfer that I highly recommend if you have some extra time and not one that gets sea-sick.

When we arrived at the ferry terminal, we were greeted by our hotel representative who would then transport us to our hotel to check-in. It’s such added value, not having to find your own way to the hotel. Major points! We were given warm towels and water and then briefed about the property and given a little bit about the history of the island of St. Bart’s. The driver’s French accent was very thick and at times, I couldn’t keep up with what he was saying, but it was super cute.

The drive from Gustavia the ‘downtown’ area to St. Jean was a short and scenic one, 5-7 minutes at best. As we pulled into the hotel, immediately I realised how the hotel received its name, it is literally built on a rock.

CHECK – IN

Initially, our stay in St. Barth’s at the Eden Rock was set for three nights, due to missed connections and flights, our stay was shortened. We got to the island a day later than expected and while I was a bit disappointed, things always seem to work out for the best. During the very casual check-in experience, we were given an upgraded room! Add some more major points! The check-in process consists of being treated to a beautiful beach-front view complete with complimentary cocktails, champagne and speciality hors d’oeuvres. After soaking in some sun and drinks, we were taken to our room by guest services, who were very attentive. Immediately you could tell that the service was impeccable, everyone knew you by your surname, but it wasn’t an overbearing type of service. I should also mention that guest services/concierge had the flyest uniforms I’ve seen at a hotel in a long time. I’m so used to seeing the frumpy khaki pants and lame island floral shirts, Eden Rock would hands down bring home the awards for Best Dressed resort any day.

FLAMBOYANT

Our upgraded home away from home was the Flamboyant. The room/cottage (still not certain what it was), was located a stone’s throw away from both restaurants on property and the beach. To be honest, nothing’s really far on the property. It was nestled in its own little corner. My first impression while entering the room was, this. is. nice. It was a modern yet island styled dig that was equal parts charming and all parts luxurious.

We were greeted with a personalised welcome card, wine, chocolate and fruit. Our chic guest rep showed us around the room just to ensure we knew where all of the goodies were stowed. There was the bedroom , sitting area, the bathroom, which was separate from the shower area and lots of storage space if you are one of these unpacking types. There were complimentary branded beach bags, flip flops, bedroom slippers, robes and converters. Yes, I knew St. Bart’s was a French speaking country but I did not anticipate that they would even adopt down to the power plugs. Thankfully these little details were not forgotten by the hotel. Our cottage/room had a beautiful sitting area right outside of our door adorned with a French style table and chairs and if you wanted to catch a tan, there were also lounge chairs and beach towels.

So how does an Eden Rock room stack up to any other room? Honestly, luxury and comfort mean something different to everyone. What I look for in a room wouldn’t necessarily be what you look for in a room. But, for me, there was nothing lacking, it was beautiful, had lots of natural light (great for photos) and above all comfortable and had lots of added value. Any hotel that gives me a 100 + euro bottle of avocado oil that makes my hair silky soft can take my money any day. The toiletries were not lacking honey!

Each night turn-down service was offered and that came with even more goodies; we were left special energy shots served in tiny glass bottles. I passed but heard it was ‘different’.

Yes, there is also free Wifi!

DINING

The luxe resort boasts of two restaurants on property, ‘Sand Bar’ a casual and relaxed restaurant facing the most beautiful white sand beach and the world famous ‘On The Rocks’ fine dining restaurant nestled literally on Top of The Rock, both of which are restaurants are helmed by acclaimed French Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. We ate at both restaurants during our stay but to be completely honest, I enjoyed the casual dining option most. The food at the Sand Bar was absolutely phenomenal!

Oh, we also got a free dinner courtesy of the hotel and we were free to order whatever we wanted with the exception of the thousand dollar caviar and drinks. We decided on an assortment of dishes, we had calamari, watermelon goat cheese salad, shrimp and salmon. As it was after sunset, and it is right on the beach, the ambience was priceless, just like the service.

The Sand Bar also serves as the breakfast buffet, which was complimentary. There are a wide range of options, cold or hot cereals, salmon and cream cheese, bagels, yogurt, cheese, french bread fruits, sausage, breakfast potatoes and so much more. You also have the option to have something made which I think may be a little extra. Can’t go wrong with free breakfast though.

On to the finer things in life. Fine dining. I am not a major fan of fine dining. It’s honestly not enough food for me and most times I find it utterly ridiculous at how much real ‘fine dining’ costs. But, we went for it, just for the experience. First off one of the best things about eating at ‘On The Rock’, was the location. A restaurant built on a rock overlooking the St. Jean’s Bay, the views are just insane.

If you wish, you can grab a drink outside at the Rock Bar. Drinks are quite a pocket pincher but they’re good. This is also one of the best places on property to watch the sunsets. You won’t regret it. There is a DJ that spins quite an eclectic mix.

But back to fine dining. It’s was a great experience, but would I do it again? Probably not. The food was good but not the best I’ve ever had and the portions were what you would find when dining at a place like this. I ordered the lobster which was decent but it wasn’t the best I had ever had. I must admit though, I ate quite a bit of bread because the French sure know how to make bread. The service, like every place on property was impeccable, but I could’ve done with another night on the beach at the Sand Bar.

WHAT – TO – DO

One of my initial concerns about the Eden Rock was the lack of a pool, but that concern melted away when I saw the stunning white sand beach that the hotel sat on. I am a beach snob. Being from The Bahamas, it’s very hard to impress me with a beach, but this beach was on par with beaches in my country. It was quiet and semi-private. The beach is lined with beach chairs and umbrellas but you have to reserve your spot, which is as simple as going to the beach bar and saying you want one and which room you are staying in. For the remainder of your stay, that’s your spot to return to. The beach has a server so you don’t need to worry about anything. You can order your drinks, food or get beach accessories delivered to you. This is what you do while at the Eden Rock; you beach, swim out to one of two tanning beds and tan. I spent an entire day relaxing and shooting the breeze and sipping on the beach. I will warn you that this is a French island and topless sunning is the order of the day. Don’t be surprised when you see some boobs swinging.

If you want to get away from the beach exploring the island is a great option.

Eden Rock is conveniently located near the shopping district in St. Jean. There are posh boutiques in walking distance that sell everything from chic island wear to high fashion and jewellery, but remember, take all of your money! You’re going to need it. Also, I can’t tell you how ahead of the game Eden Rock is. We did not have to rent a car to explore the island because it was included in our package. What hotel have you ever been at, where you have the use of a car, fo free?! There were cute economical smart cars and if you wanted to upgrade to a fancier option like a Wrangler or a Range Rover you had the option to for a small cost. There is also no need to worry about parking as there is a valet service.

If you want to venture off property for a bite to eat, listen to some music or simply people watch, walk next door to the ultra luxurious beach bar Nikki Beach which has the most delicious food! Try the lobster salad and the calamari.

AMENITIES

Although compact, the resort does have a fitness centre that is available to all guests, they provide massages on the beach, but there is no spa on property, but they work with one that is off property. There is also a small boutique shop where you can pick up some fun resort wear pieces like swimsuits, hat, sandals, or some jewellery.

IS EDEN ROCK THE RIGHT HOTEL FOR YOU?

I loved everything about the Eden Rock. But, let me make this clear, this hotel is not for everyone. If you and your significant other are looking for a quiet and private getaway, this hotel is perfect for a baecation. If you are on a budget, this may not be the right hotel for you. St. Bart’s has far more reasonable hotels that you can consider for a getaway. If you love all things fancy and luxurious, this is the right place for you, but if you are looking for a resort that has endless activities, it’s a no. If you want a beach front hotel, it’s perfect. If you are travelling with a large group, there are lots of family style villas with pools that you can rent. If you love good service and above and beyond attention to detail, you have a winner.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Eden Rock is hands down, the best hotel I’ve stayed in. This #treatyoself resort is one of those hotels that you have to try at least once; it lives up to the hype and I do not regret dropping some major $$$ to experience it. From check in to check out, the service level was above and beyond. The food was as expected, delicious, the room was comfortable and chic and the experience overall a valuable one. I loved it and that’s really all I can say. I really, really loved it and I’m daydreaming about my next visit.

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]]>http://stillsomajor.com/eden-rock/feed/03909Travel Packing Tips For The Overpackerhttp://stillsomajor.com/packing-light-tips-overpacker/
http://stillsomajor.com/packing-light-tips-overpacker/#respondThu, 22 Jun 2017 14:13:31 +0000http://stillsomajor.com/?p=3889I must confess I love travelling but I hate packing. I NEED my entire wardrobe, wherever I go, at all times, but truth be told, I never wear 90% of the things that I pack. Raise your hands if you’re […]

]]>I must confess I love travelling but I hate packing. I NEED my entire wardrobe, wherever I go, at all times, but truth be told, I never wear 90% of the things that I pack. Raise your hands if you’re that kind of person, an overpacker. I’ll wait… In recent years, I’ve had to kinda curb my packing habits because I’m cheap. These days, luxuries like free checked bags don’t exist and I find it quite unfair that I have to fork over an extra 30$+ (each way) to pay for a bag. Delta, JetBlue, American Air & Co, do you expect me to travel with my purse and that’s it? My hair products alone need their own bag!

But, guess what? Travel isn’t about being comfortable, it’s about being pushed to your limits, readjusting and learning how to improvise. All of which I’ve had to learn to do. I’ve had to learn how to scale back, how to not put every pair of shoe that I own in my bag or every bottle of cream curl or gel. I’ve learned how to separate the necessities from the luxuries because travel really isn’t about how you look, or what you wear. It’s about the experience, the people, the culture and the memories.

Here are a few major packing tips to keep your checked luggage well below that 50 pounds (22.68 kg) mark!

Pack outfits by day. For the longest, I would pack as many clothes and shoes into my suitcase as I could possibly fit. These days I pack by the day to have an idea of what exactly I would and wouldn’t need. This is key in helping to keep unnecessary clothes out!

Choose lighter & appropriate clothing. For women, this may be a little easier than it would be for men. I tend to wear more dresses when I travel because it’s simple, and I don’t need to find a top and a bottom. Packing dresses, tanks and tees or shorts help to keep the weight down. You do not need jeans, let’s say it again. You do not need jeans. Denim is too heavy and takes up valuable space. IF you must, travel in your jeans. Try to pack clothing that you can mix n’ match and wear more than once. Scarves can double as hair wraps and sandals that can take you from daytime to night. I barely ever pack heels when travelling.

Downsize toiletries. I have a bad habit of taking all of my hair products with me while travelling, with this much hair, you have to be prepared! But, I have gotten better but I still have some work to do. I have a stash of travel size toiletries and hair products that are in a little corner of my bathroom that I only use while travelling. It significantly reduces the load of all that liquid and cream. If you’re not on a budget, you could also just buy cheap toiletries at your destination.

Consolidate or coordinate with your travel partner. Instead of taking two bags, how about taking just one? Couples can share a luggage which cuts down on cost. Instead of both of you taking toiletries, just share things like toothpaste, lotion, mouthwash etc.

Pack an extra bag. In order to ensure you don’t pay overweight charges, always pack an extra bag inside of your bag. This bag can be used to house all of your travel souvenirs and knick knacks that you will find while on vacation. Duffel bags or tote bags are my favs.

When travelling I am always reminded of what necessities are vs. wants. Do I need to travel with an entire makeup kit? Nah. Do I need a change of jewellery or a different bag every day? Certainly not. Like I previously stated, travel is more about the experience and the memories. Travelling light is not an art, but it is certainly a sacrifice. The next time you travel, challenge yourself to take only the things you will need nothing more.

Do you have any smart packing tips? Drop me a line below.

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]]>http://stillsomajor.com/packing-light-tips-overpacker/feed/03889Spontaneous Travel Is The Best Kind Of Travelhttp://stillsomajor.com/spontaneous-travel-is-the-best-kind-of-travel/
http://stillsomajor.com/spontaneous-travel-is-the-best-kind-of-travel/#respondThu, 15 Jun 2017 14:24:31 +0000http://stillsomajor.com/?p=3878When was the last time you just picked up your bags and decided on the fly to book a ticket and just go? No concrete plans, no nothing. Just your passport and a destination. If you haven’t, you don’t know […]

]]>When was the last time you just picked up your bags and decided on the fly to book a ticket and just go? No concrete plans, no nothing. Just your passport and a destination. If you haven’t, you don’t know what you’re missing, spontaneous travel is the best kind of travel.

I won’t sit here and try to convince you that I’ve been doing this my entire life. I have not; I am a planner. I put pen to paper and plan my trips months in advance. To be honest, it’s actually quite annoying at times. But, I stumbled upon the notion of spontaneous travel this year, most recently this month. For some reason, I was unaware that there were two holidays “sandwiching” the weekend making for a four-day break from the 9-5. I had no plans to go anywhere, but a day before my boyfriend and I decided to make it an adventure.

We had NO idea where we were going. We wrestled with thoughts of Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, San Franciso but finally decided on St. Maarten and St. Barts. We booked our plane tickets the day before and guess what, it was hands down one of the best baecations we have ever taken.

We didn’t feel any pressure because we had no plans, no itinerary, we were free to just explore the islands at our leisure or do nothing at all, both of which I may add we did. It was refreshing not to feel like I had to constantly check my schedule to figure out ‘what’s next’.

If you’re still not sold on this spontaneous train, here are a few more reasons you should give the spontaneous life some serious consideration.

Spontaneous travel can be cheaper. Part of the reason we decided to travel to St. Marteen & St. Barth’s was because the plane ticket was very inexpensive. Initially, it was $370 ish for a roundtrip ticket from The Bahamas, but the plane ticket rose because I wasn’t proactive enough to book when I saw the price. You can find a ton of cheap last minute plane tickets if you’re not restrictive on destination. Many search engines like Skyscanner have the amazing ANYWHERE options. Try it!

Spontaneous travel teaches you to relinquish control. If you’re averse to spontaneous travel, it’s because you’re Type A and love to be in control of every aspect of life. Sometimes it’s good to let go and just let things happen. I know there is this saying ‘if you fail to plan la la la”, but sometimes the best things in life aren’t planned, they just happen. Be open to doing unusual things, allow locals to help you plan while you’re in your destination, rent a car and just hit the road and explore.

Spontaneous travel allows you to write your own story. I had no expectations for my trip, I didn’t obsess over my visit (because I had no time to) and we choose to travel to a place where you don’t normally see on social media therefore, it was refreshing to not have to meet a preconceived expectation. It was perfect because we didn’t follow a cookie cutter itinerary set by someone who probably doesn’t even like the same things that we do. We created and executed our own game plan and it was epic. Write you own spontaneous story!

Are you a pickup and go kinda traveller? Do you love it? Have some additional tips? Drop me a comment!

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]]>http://stillsomajor.com/spontaneous-travel-is-the-best-kind-of-travel/feed/03878I Missed Three Flights In One Day, Here’s What I Learnedhttp://stillsomajor.com/i-missed-three-flights-in-one-day-heres-what-i-learned/
http://stillsomajor.com/i-missed-three-flights-in-one-day-heres-what-i-learned/#commentsMon, 12 Jun 2017 13:37:33 +0000http://stillsomajor.com/?p=3863If you’ve been following me on social media, you would know that I recently travelled to St. Marteen & St. Barts for a quick holiday getaway. It was a spur of the moment kinda trip, these trips are usually one […]

]]>If you’ve been following me on social media, you would know that I recently travelled to St. Marteen & St. Barts for a quick holiday getaway. It was a spur of the moment kinda trip, these trips are usually one of two things, the best trips ever or the worst trips ever.

Can you guess what the start of this trip was like? It was hell, but it was entirely my fault.

If you’re a frequent flyer, you know that you should always aim to arrive at the airport at least two to three hours before your flight departs. Somehow, I got the flight time mixed up and arrived at the airport late to find the flight closed. Thankfully, the perks of being a frequent flyer are that you know the airline agents who can work some magic. Crisis averted, for the moment.

Next, I had to finesse my way through the long, long, long security check and U.S. Customs & Immigration lines and that’s where it all came crashing down. *Makes sign of the cross.* I missed my flight out of Nassau and eventually missed my flight out of Miami which in turn made me miss my flight out of St. Maarten to St. Barths. This was the first time I had missed a flight and it was totally my fault because I was late.

The face of someone who has missed their flights.

While it all worked out in the end, it was a teachable, valuable and expensive lesson that I couldn’t help but share. Here’s what missing my flight taught/reminded me.

ALWAYS read your ticket twice, never assume and ALWAYS show up to the airport on time. While different airlines and airports have their own recommended time, I always go with the 2-3 hour rule depending on the season and if the flight is domestic or international.

In recent years, airlines have moved to provide swifter check in processes using machines or online checking, but, Murphy’s Law is real. What can go wrong, will go wrong. I’ve seen people leave their wallets at home, passports at home, and run into all kinds of strange travel predicaments. Like they say, lack of planning on your part doesn’t constitute and emergency on mine. If you arrive at the airport late and about to miss your flight, don’t expect another traveller to let you slide in the front of them. It’s inconsiderate of you to even ask, and it’s why the entire line erupts in near violence when people do it.

If you miss your flight, airlines DO NOT have to accommodate you if it is NOT their fault. Say it with me again….Some people think that this is a given but once you miss your flight, like the old Bahamian saying, ‘dog eat ya lunch’. I was able to be accommodated for two reasons; the flights were not full and good relationships with airline employees. If the flights I needed to catch were full, it’s quite possible I would have had to come up out of pocket or my entire itinerary would’ve been pushed back. Always be nice to people, you never know when you will need them.

I am out of shape. I had to run from one terminal to another in Miami International Airport and I am here to say I am grossly out of shape. Not slight jog, but straight out RUN like I was in a race for my life. Not only did I miss my flight by 2 minutes, I nearly died because I was so out of breath. I need to hit a gym ASAP!

While I can look back at the moment now and smile, missing flights are never fun. It’s stressful and at most times can be avoided through proper planning. Yes, there are things that are absolutely unavoidable, like delays and traffic but let’s respect the process of travel where we can and all of its moving parts. There’s nothing wrong with arriving at the airport early, a pet peeve of many. Just use the time to be productive; get some work done or people watch.